A Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review—the utility’s deep-dive on technical and cost impacts of your project.

Challenge: Frequent false tripping using conventional electromechanical relays
Solution: SEL-487E integration with multi-terminal differential protection and dynamic inrush restraint
Result: 90% reduction in false trips, saving over $250,000 in downtime

As the Midwest’s power grid evolves to meet growing demand, aging infrastructure, and renewable energy integration, ComEd’s Supplemental Projects provide a roadmap for proactive transmission upgrades. These initiatives, aligned with the PJM M-3 planning process, highlight an urgent need for innovative electrical engineering solutions — and Keentel Engineering is ready to lead the charge.

Within the ComEd PJM footprint, Keentel transmission engineering services support utilities and developers addressing reliability, capacity expansion, and large-load interconnection challenges. Keentel Engineering transmission services are structured to align with regional planning processes while meeting evolving technical and regulatory expectations.

During the March 4, 2025, TEAC Western Committee meeting, ComEd shared critical infrastructure updates across Illinois. The primary drivers behind these projects include:

Aging and Obsolete Equipment
Customer Load Growth and Interconnection Demands
Regional Congestion and Reliability Risks Identified by MISO

At Keentel Engineering, we recognize that expert transmission engineering is essential to delivering safe, reliable, and future-ready power systems — and we are proud to serve as a trusted partner in this transformation.

Many of these initiatives require detailed relay protection studies for PJM systems to ensure coordination, selectivity, and dependable operation under evolving fault levels. Keentel Engineering relay services integrate protection design with system studies to support reliable transmission operation across interconnected networks.

Challenge: Oil circuit breakers from 1968 are obsolete and unmaintainable.
Keentel’s Role:
Condition assessment
SF₆ breaker specification
Procurement support
Field commissioning assistance
Upgrade Details:
Existing: 1600A, 40kA breakers
Replacement: 3000A, 63kA SF₆ breakers
Value Delivered: Increased system capacity, reduced maintenance, enhanced reliability.

This upgrade reflects IEEE-compliant EHV engineering practices, addressing increased short-circuit duty, equipment aging, and long-term operational reliability within a constrained transmission environment.

Challenge: A new customer requires up to 600 MW of load capacity by 2029.
Keentel’s Role:
345kV line extensions
Eldamain Substation design
Protection, control, and interconnection studies
Regulatory and permitting support
Scope:
New 345kV ring bus expandable to breaker-and-a-half.
Radial leads connecting to customer facilities.

Projects of this scale often intersect with ComEd solar interconnection and large-load integration requirements, requiring close coordination between transmission planning, protection design, and interconnection studies.

Challenge: Long-range transmission planning (LRTP) from MISO demands 765kV grid reinforcements.
Key Upgrades:
Expansion of Collins 765kV substation
Two new 765kV transmission lines connecting MISO
300 MVAR reactors installation
Woodford County substation development
Total Estimated Investment: $874.2 million
Keentel’s Expertise:
Conceptual and detailed 765kV/345kV system design
Grounding studies, bus layouts, and surge protection
Full NERC, PJM, and MISO compliance

MISO LRTP Tranche 2.1 projects represent a significant shift toward long-term regional transmission planning, requiring coordinated execution across PJM, MISO, and local utility territories.

Transmission Line Design (345kV–765kV)
Substation Design (Ring Bus, Breaker-and-a-Half, GIS)
Relay Protection and Control System Engineering
Grid Interconnection Studies
Owner’s Engineering and QA/QC Oversight
Regulatory Filing Support (PJM, FERC, NERC)

Explore more about our Substation Design Services.

As a trusted provider of Keentel Engineering transmission services, our teams deliver integrated solutions that span concept development through commissioning, ensuring technical rigor and regulatory alignment at every stage.

1. What role does Keentel Engineering play in ComEd or PJM transmission projects?
Keentel delivers design, relay protection, system studies, interconnection support, and regulatory compliance for HV/EHV projects.
2. How does Keentel assist utilities with aging infrastructure replacements?
We assess aging assets, recommend SF₆ upgrades, and manage procurement and commissioning phases.
3. Is Keentel experienced with the PJM M-3 planning process?
Yes, we actively participate in PJM’s M-3 process, including need assessments, solution development, and Do-No-Harm (DNH) analyses.
4. Can Keentel design and route transmission lines?
Absolutely. We offer full routing analysis, conductor selection, and structure design compliant with PJM and NESC standards.
5. Can you support high-voltage substation expansions like Collins 765kV?
Yes. We provide bus layouts, equipment specifications, grounding design, and grid operator coordination.

In 1995, Sonny Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois. But degrees don't build legacies — action does.

Utility. Generator. Regulator. Consultant. Few engineers have seen all four seats. Fewer still have sat in them.His experience spans nuclear, hydro, conventional generation, renewables, oil and gas, mining — and today's data centers, where he is authoring a three-book series on data center design. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in six states and a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida (Unlimited EC) — he doesn't just design the work; he's qualified to stand behind its execution.Today, as Founder and CEO of Keentel Engineering, Sonny leads 51 engineers delivering substation design, power system studies, NERC compliance, and commissioning — done right, coast to coast.Three decades. Every side of the table. One standard: accountable engineering

In 1995, Sonny Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois. But degrees don't build legacies — action does.

For three decades, he has worked the power industry from every side of the table: 16 years as a utility engineer at Exelon/Commonwealth Edison; generation leadership across hydroelectric, industrial steam turbine, and a 9 GW renewable fleet; NERC Regional Entity Senior Compliance Engineer and Audit Team Lead, auditing some of the nation's largest utilities; and testing and commissioning lead on equipment up to 765 kV — the very top of the North American grid.Utility. Generator. Regulator. Consultant. Few engineers have seen all four seats. Fewer still have sat in them.His experience spans nuclear, hydro, conventional generation, renewables, oil and gas, mining — and today's data centers, where he is authoring a three-book series on data center design. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in six states and a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida (Unlimited EC) — he doesn't just design the work; he's qualified to stand behind its execution.Today, as Founder and CEO of Keentel Engineering, Sonny leads 51 engineers delivering substation design, power system studies, NERC compliance, and commissioning — done right, coast to coast.Three decades. Every side of the table. One standard: accountable engineering